Aircraft Engine Airflow Modulation Apparatus and Method for Engine Bay Cooling and Cycle Flow Matching

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system and method of LO airflow modulation for use with a DTSA engine. A DTSA engine is positioned within an aircraft fuselage and the second DTSA turbine fan includes it own dedicated decoupled air inlet duct that is formed co-centrically about the housing. An airflow modulator member is positioned in duct to form the duct wall when the modulator is in a closed position. The Modulator member is pivotally connected to the duct wall, and is movable by an actuator to a second open position that allows airflow to escape the third stream duct, and provide airflow to both the DTSA fan blades as well as engine bay for cooling. The method of the present invention provides airflow modulation to an aircraft employing a DTSA engine, said method including the receiving of airflow from a supersonic aircraft intake; sensing a number of parameters, including, but not limited to aircraft speed, temperature, engine load and/or altitude. Calculating an efficient amount of airflow to provide to the DTSA turbine blades thorough a decoupled airstream; and directing movement of a modulator vane located in the intake duct to vary airflow to the DTSA turbine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for engine-bay cooling in a turbojet aircraft engine along with cycle flow matching. More particular, the present invention utilizes the structure of a decoupled third stream inlet duct on a decoupled third stream annulus (“DTSA”) aircraft gas turbine engine to modulate intake airflow between the inlet decoupled inlet duct and an engine bay cooling stream.

Supersonic aircraft endure extreme high temperatures caused by propulsion systems and in-flight engine cooling is required. Many aircraft engine cooling systems employ the use of external apertures to intake cooling airflow from one or more parts of the aircraft. Such external apertures are not desirable for achieving a low observable (“LO”) signature for the aircraft. Furthermore, the use of additional apertures increase complexity, cost and weight of the aircraft requiring additional mechanical systems such as additional flow paths and mechanism to draw the cooling external airflow to an engine bay.

Furthermore, variable geometries for inlets systems for cycle matching are common in supersonic aircraft. The objective of the variable geometries are to vary the airflow intake to match the airflow the engine requirements at varying speeds, engine loads and altitudes. Such variable geometries add weight, cost and complexity to the intake system. In many fixed geometry intake systems, in order to reduce weight and complexity, such systems may operate in a preferred range of cruising altitude and Mach number. In off-design operating conditions, however, the aircraft suffers from performance penalties caused by spillage drag of supplying too little or too much airflow to the aircraft engine.

As such, there is a great need in the art for an aircraft engine airflow management system that can provide engine bay cooling while maximizing the LO of the aircraft. In addition there is a great need in the art for an engine intake airflow management system that provides a simplified cycle matching that reduces the weight and complexity of existing systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a system and method of LO airflow modulation that utilizes existing engine inlet geometry to provide engine bay cooling airflow without the need for superfluous external apertures and the mechanical systems that accompany such airflow cooling intakes. In addition to the engine bay cooling, the system and method provides a means for varying the airflow into the engine inlet to increase the mass flow ratio and reducing the drag effects of off-design range of flight by properly matching the engine airflow with the inducted inlet flow.

The present invention provides an airflow modulation system for use in aircraft DTSA engines. The DTSA engine is positioned within an aircraft fuselage, and with said engine positioned within an aircraft engine bay. The DTSA engine is a gas turbine variety formed with a generally cylindrical housing with a turbine fan positioned within the housing. A second DTSA turbine fan is provided with the blades exposed outside of the cylindrical housing. The second DTSA turbine fan has it own dedicated decoupled air inlet duct that is formed co-centrically about the housing. The decoupled air inlet duct is formed on the interior by the wall of the center turbine cylinder, and on the exterior by a duct wall. The duct wall terminates downstream from the inlet, and an airflow modulator member is positioned in the duct to form the duct wall when the modulator is in a closed position. The Modulator member is pivotally connected to the duct wall, and is movable by an actuator to a second open position that allows airflow to escape the third stream duct, and provide airflow to both the DTSA fan blades as well as engine bay. The airflow to the engine bay provides for cooling of the engine or otherwise modulates the amount of airflow to the DTSA turbine. The actuator is controlled by on-board electronics that monitor, among other things, temperature, speed, engine load and altitude. An on board processor, based upon one or more of these factors, provides instructions to the modulator actuators to provide an efficient amount of airflow to the DTSA turbine and/or the engine bay for efficient operation and cooling.

The method of the present invention provides airflow modulation to an aircraft employing a DTSA engine, said method including the receiving of airflow from a supersonic aircraft intake; sensing a number of parameters, including, but not limited to aircraft speed, temperature, engine load and/or altitude. Calculating an efficient amount of airflow to provide to the DTSA turbine blades thorough a decoupled airstream; and directing movement of a modulator vane located in the intake duct to vary airflow to the DTSA turbine. The method can provide engine cooling as well as cycle matching of the airflow to maximize efficiency of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of a known DTSA aircraft engine system employing a third stream air flow;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional schematic view of the system of the present invention employing a directional vane within a decoupled airstream of a DTSA engine;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of vane system used with the decoupled airstream of a DTSA engine where the vane is in the first position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vane system used with the decoupled airstream of a DTSA engine where the vane is in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the use of a shortened decoupled airstream.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross sectional schematic view of a known DTSA engine structure having a fixed geometry inlet. Airflow enters the aircraft engine from a main inlet diffuser 10 formed by the outer walls 11 of a DTSA engine. The DTSA engine is mounted within the fuselage of a supersonic aircraft and is placed in fluid communication with an inlet diffuser 10 which receives airflow from a supersonic air intake (not shown). The center turbine inlet 12, which receives airflow from the inlet diffuser 10, provides airflow to the turbo fan blades 14 of the center turbine engine. A second airflow duct 16 also receives airflow from the main inlet diffuser 10 to provide airflow to the third stream DTSA fan blades 18. In this configuration, airflow from the diffuser 10 is directed to both the center turbine inlet 12 and the third stream duct 16 and as such, the intake airflow is not modulated to enable cycle matching of the engine to aircraft speed when operating out the optimum range or otherwise redirect airflow to an engine bay cooling system. Examples of DTSA engines employing third stream airflow systems are described in detail at U.S. Pat. No. 7,395,657, the entire substance of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional schematic view of the air modulation system of the present invention. In the configuration of the present invention, the modified DTSA engine is situated within the fuselage of an aircraft, and placed in fluid communication with a supersonic air intake (not shown) through the main inlet diffuser 20. The main inlet diffuser 20 receives airflow from a supersonic air intake (not shown) to direct airflow to a center turbine inlet 22. A third stream air duct 24 also receives airflow from the supersonic air intake (not shown), however, the third stream transfer duct 24 is completely decoupled from the main inlet diffuser 20. As such, the third stream transfer duct 24 provides airflow to a DTSA fan blades at interface 26. The main inlet diffuser 20 is bounded by a diffuser wall 21 which segregates the main inlet diffuser and main fan stream from the third stream transfer duct 24. The third stream transfer duct 24 is formed on the interior side by the diffuser wall 21 and on the external side by duct wall 28. A vane 30 is pivotally connected at a hinge point 32 along the outer duct wall 28. In the closed position (not shown) the vane 30 contacts the engine third stream exterior wall 34. As such, the exterior duct wall 28, the vane 30 and the outer engine third stream wall 34, when the vane 30 is in the closed position forms a decoupled third stream airflow to the DTSA fan blades at interface 26. At the hinge point 32 an engine bay wall 36 flares outward to form the engine bay 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the vane 30 is an open position allowing airflow from the third stream transfer duct 24 to flow to both the DTSA interface 26 as well as the engine bay 38 to provide engine bay cooling.

The vane 30 is moved from an open position to a close position by externally mounted actuators 31. The engine requires different amounts of airflow, and the different degrees of cooling depending on different stages of flight operation. The vane 30 of the present invention improves efficiency over an entire flight regime as opposed to most conventional propulsion systems which are optimized for cruise flight conditions. The vane 30 allows varying amounts of airflow to the DTSA turbine blades as well as varying amounts of cooling airflow to the engine bay 38. The vane 30 may be controlled through actuators 31 interconnected to a computer based system which would regulate the opening and closing of the vane 30 based upon a number of parameters, including but not limited to, the engine power setting, air speed or mach number and/or altitude. Actuators 31 will include an array of actuators 31 that interface an array of circumferentially positioned vanes 30 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The vane 30 is rotated about the hinge by contacting a telescoping drive shaft attached to the actuators 31. Mechanical activation of the actuators 31 is scheduled based upon flight conditions. The conditions can be pre-programmed to certain flight conditions and can also be coupled to an active control systems including sensors. Spillage drag reduction is achieved by the method and system of the present invention by properly matching the inlet flow in the third stream transfer duct 24 at off design conditions. For example, at subsonic speeds the vane 30 can be adjusted to achieve spillage drag reduction. The total airflow through the third stream transfer duct 24 and through the entire engine third stream increases as the vane 30 is opened, increasing the inlet match flow ratio and reducing the inlet drag at subsonic loiter conditions. Thus, the configuration of the present invention eliminates the use of complex external aperture engine bay cooling induction system and provides significant LO benefits. The vanes 30 are circumferentially formed around the turbine housing 28, and may include a plurality of members 30 that overlap to form a series of overlapping rigid members (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Each of the vanes are formed of aluminum or rigid composite material. The vanes can also be formed from specialty polymer having sufficient rigidity to deflect airflow. The vane 30 must be heat resistant to extreme temperatures.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown the air modulation system of the present invention with the vane 30 of the third stream air duct 24 in a closed position, and in FIG. 4, the vane 30 in an open position allowing airflow into the engine bay 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the main inlet diffuser 20 provides airflow B into the center turbine inlet 22. With the vane 30 in the closed position airflow A traverses the air inlet duct 24 to travel the length of the third airstream duct 24 into the DTSA fan blade interface 26. In the configuration as shown in FIG. 3 the decoupled airstream 24 provides airflow A only to the DTSA inlet 26.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the actuators 31 are positioned circumferentially about the center turbine are actuated to pull the vane 30 outwardly to permit airflow A in air duct 24 to pass into the engine bay 38 and the DTSA interface 26. In this configuration, less airflow A is provided to the DTSA fan blade interface 26 which may be desirable in certain operating conditions, and additionally may provide airflow to the engine bay 38 to aid in engine cooling. It is contemplated that the duct wall 28 and the diffuser wall 21 may extend to the main inlet diffuser to the supersonic air intake (not shown) which provides air to both the third stream air duct 24 and center turbine inlet 22. The invention contemplates, as shown in FIG. 5, that the combination of the duct wall 28 and the diffuser wall 21 my have varying lengths, but in each instance is in fluid communication with a supersonic intake (not shown). The air modulation system of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion cross sectional view as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the air modulation system of the present invention. The alternate embodiment of FIG. 5 is essentially the identical construction to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, except that the duct wall 28 and the diffuser wall 21 are shortened. The configuration of FIG. 5 may be utilized in an aircraft engine system where it is desirable to minimize the direct airflow from supersonic air intake (not shown). In this regard, the airflow A and B may result in a single flow path from the air intake (not shown) that is then divided at a point closer to the center turbine inlet 22 to create the third stream air duct 24.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments. 

1. An airflow modulation system for use in aircraft propulsion comprising: a gas turbine engine positioned at least partially within an aircraft engine bay, said gas turbine engine comprising: a center fan airflow inlet formed at the upstream opening of a generally cylindrical center housing; an annular DTSA inlet duct formed concentrically about at least a portion of said center housing, and decoupled from said center fan airflow inlet; and an airflow modulator positioned within said DTSA inlet duct movable between a first and second position, wherein in said first position the airflow modulator directs airflow to the DTSA fan, and in said second position, airflow is directed to both the DTSA fan and an engine bay cooling area.
 2. The airflow modulation system of claim 1 wherein said DTSA inlet duct is formed at interior by the cylindrical housing, and on exteriorly by a duct wall.
 3. The airflow modulation system of claim 2 wherein said airflow modulator is a vane member having a first and second end, said first end of said vane member pivotally connected to said duct wall, wherein when said modulator is in said first position it forms a continuous surface to direct airflow to said DTSA fan, and wherein said modulator is in said second position, airflow is directed to both the DTSA fan and the engine bay cooling area.
 4. The airflow modulation system of claim 1 wherein said modulator is interconnected to a mechanical actuator that moves said modulator between said first and second positions.
 5. The airflow modulation system of claim 4 wherein said actuator is controlled by on-board aircraft electronics.
 6. A method of airflow modulation for use in aircraft propulsion using a DTSA jet turbine engine comprising: receiving airflow from a supersonic aircraft intake and communicating said airflow to a center turbine intake diffuser and separately communicating said airflow to a third stream DTSA intake; sensing one or more of he following parameters: aircraft engine load, speed, altitude or engine temperature; calculating an efficient amount of airflow to provide to DTSA intake; and directing the movement of a modulator vane to vary airflow to the DTSA turbine.
 7. An airflow modulation system for use in aircraft propulsion comprising: an engine bay; a DTSA gas turbine engine positioned at least partially within said engine bay, said engine having a center fan inlet and annular a DTSA fan inlet formed concentrically about the center fan inlet; a first air duct in fluid communication with said center fan inlet; a second air duct in fluid communication with said DTSA fan inlet, said second air duct having airflow independent from said first air duct; and an airflow modulator positioned within said second air duct movable between a first and second position, wherein in said first position the airflow modulator directs airflow to the DTSA inlet, and in said second position, airflow is directed to both the DTSA inlet and an engine bay.
 8. The airflow modulation system of claim 7 wherein said airflow modulator is a vane member having a first and second end, said first end of said vane member pivotally connected to an interior wall of said second air duct wherein when said modulator is in said first position it forms a continuous wall surface to direct airflow to said DTSA fan inlet, and wherein said modulator is in said second position, airflow is directed to both the DTSA fan inlet and to said engine bay.
 9. The airflow modulation system of claim 7 wherein said modulator is interconnected to a mechanical actuator that moves said modulator between said first and second positions.
 10. The airflow modulation system of claim 9 wherein said actuator is controlled by on-board aircraft electronics.
 11. A method of airflow modulation for use in aircraft propulsion using a DTSA jet turbine engine comprising: receiving airflow from a first supersonic aircraft intake and communicating said airflow to a center turbine intake of said DTSA jet engine; receiving airflow from a second supersonic aircraft intake and communicating said airflow to the DTSA turbine of said DTSA jet engine; receiving data from at least one onboard sensor; processing the data; and generating a signal in response to the data processing to activate an airflow modulator positioned within the airstream between said second supersonic aircraft intake and said DTSA turbine to redirect airflow from the DTSA turbine to an engine bay.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one of said onboard sensors is a temperature sensor.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said redirected airflow facilitates the cooling of the engine by providing airflow to the engine bay.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one onboard sensor is a speed indicator.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said redirected airflow facilitates optimal engine performance by redirecting airflow from said DTSA inlet in accordance with the speed indicator.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one of said onboard sensors is an altitude sensor.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said redirected airflow facilitates the optimal engine performance in accordance with said altitude sensor by redirecting airflow from said DTSA inlet.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein said at least one of said onboard sensors is an engine load sensor.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said redirected airflow facilitates the optimal engine performance in accordance with said load sensor by redirecting airflow from said DTSA inlet. 